Science Day Celebration 2026

Research Advisory Council, DIBNS celebrated Science Day 2026 with a special programme centred on the theme “Women in Science”, highlighting the role of women scientists in driving innovation, research excellence, and nation-building. Prof. Varsha Parcha, Dean (Research), DIBNS, warmly welcomed all RAC members and participants. She congratulated the organizing team for successfully hosting the Science Day programme and set the context for the day by emphasising the importance of scientific temper, collaboration, and research excellence. In her address, Prof. Parcha spoke on the theme “Women in Science” and highlighted the need to create enabling environments for women researchers, promote equal opportunities, and celebrate women’s achievements across disciplines. She linked the theme with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat”, underscoring that inclusive scientific leadership is essential for a resilient and developed India.

The theme session featured talks and reflections on the contributions of women scientists andmways to strengthen women’s leadership in science and research:

• Dr. Shalini Singh spoke on the growing visibility of women in science and the importance of mentorship, professional networks, and institutional support.
• Dr. Sandhya Gosawmi highlighted inspiring examples of women’s contributions in science and discussed how persistence, curiosity, and consistent support systems shape scientific careers.
• Dr. Deepali discussed how women can lead transformative contributions through innovation, interdisciplinary research, and community impact.
• Dr. Virender Kumar and Dr. Ankur Adhikari spoke on how scientific curiosity can be nurtured among students—especially girls—and noted that sustained encouragement at school and home is still needed to bridge existing gaps.

A panel discussion was also held to explore practical ways to encourage girl students to pursue science and develop long-term interest in STEM fields. Dr. Deepak Kumar, Dr. Virender Kumar, and Dr. Ankur Adhikari were among the lead speakers. Dr. Aditi Chauhan added valuable insights by linking the discussion to psychological factors such as confidence-building, mindset, role models, and classroom environment.

The programme was attended by RAC members and faculty, including Dr. Sandhya Gosawmi, Dr. Tripti Malik, Dr. Ankur Adhikari, Dr. Deepak Kumar, and Dr. Virender Kumar, among others. Their presence and engagement strengthened the deliberations and reinforced DIBNS’s commitment to research excellence and inclusive growth in science.

Special Announcement: ANRF-Funded Guidance Workshop

During the programme, Prof. Varsha Parcha made a special announcement regarding an upcoming 6 days ANRF-funded Guidance Workshop titled “Strengthening School Resilience in Fragile Himalayan Landscapes”, aligned with the National School Safety Framework (NSSF), 2019.

She also briefed participants about the committee structure and the working schedule being planned for smooth execution of the workshop, including coordination for technical sessions, logistics, registration, outreach, and documentation.

Science Day 2026 at DIBNS served as a meaningful platform to celebrate scientific spirit and recognize the critical role of women in advancing science for societal development. The celebration witnessed active participation from RAC members, faculty, and staff.

The special announcement of the upcoming ANRF-funded workshop further strengthened DIBNS’s commitment to impactful research, outreach, and capacity building aligned with national priorities.